COVID-19: CDC wants locally produced masks: plans to distribute to Guyanese

Some locally produced masks by Guyanese Designer Mark Junior

The Guyana Civil Defence Commission is calling on persons with the capabilities and skills to submit homemade or locally produced masks in an effort to have those distributed to persons who are still required to visit their offices for work and for the distribution of every household in Guyana.

The masks will not be distributed to health workers and those in the frontline of the fight against the Coronavirus stated the head of the Civil Defence Commission Kester Craig. This afternoon the CDC issued a call for those with the skills to submit samples of the masks they intend to supply to the CDC.

The notice sent out by the CDC on Saturday afternoon

Speaking with BIG Smith News Watch on Saturday evening, the CDC head noted that they would encourage persons submitting samples to ensure that they are using cotton for the production of the masks and to ensure that those masks have at least three layers.

The CDC is moving to do distribution of hampers to families across the country and it is the intention to have the masks included in the hampers so that persons can seek to use them in minimizing the risks of contracting the coronavirus.

At the moment, several business places have been selling masks but the prices for the commodity have jumped exponentially, making it very difficult for ordinary citizens to acquire the required amount they may need to safeguard themselves from the virus.

The homemade masks will provide an added advantage for the average citizens who will be able to wash those upon each cycle of usage. The Ministry of Health and other international health bodies have been urging persons to wear a mask when leaving their homes.

Craig told BIG Smith News Watch that the mask making initiative is to provide alternative employment and to meet the demand of the current situation where Guyana has a shortage of masks.

This approach is also provided for dealing with disaster management and economic recovery while ensuring that essential supplies are provided to those who need it.